Second of the occupants dropped off rent (5)
I believe the answer is:
cleft
'rent' is the definition.
(synonyms)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cleft that I've seen before include "Split into two" , "Narrow opening" , "Split, divided" , "Space" , "Split or indentation" .)